Grey Line

Realizations

When they reached the roof, Bakugo spun around, landing a harsh punch to Hawks' face, "Let's hear it."

The winged hero chuckled and spit blood, "Cheap hits now?"

"You needed it."

"Fuck you," he wiped his mouth, "You act like heroes aren't people."

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Hawks isn't me all of the time," he shook his head, "forget it."

"No," Bakugo tilted his head and crossed his arms, "I just wanna understand-"

"Sometimes there is no understanding you thick headed asshole," Hawks snapped, "I don't get close to people for a reason. It's a liability, for me and them."

Red eyes watch him for a moment before speaking, "You're afraid."

He scoffed with a sarcastic smile, "You've all been on my ass for the past however many months. It's not that simple for me and I'm sick of everyone thinking it is."

"Keigo," Bakugo let out a calm breath, "I get it. I seriously do." His eyes looked at the hazy sky, "It was the same with Hallie, especially after the war." He scoffed, "Still to this day, I feel it. I'll look the devil in the eyes, but loving her scares me."

Hawks nodded sighing, "Then how do you do it? Especially after something like this?"

"She worth every minute." Bakugo smirked, "Even when she's moody and scolding me like a kid. It's worth it, I promise. There isn't a damn thing I would change."

"Someone hears you talking like that, they'd think you're soft," the blonde teased, laying back on the roof, looking at the clouds, "We owe her big time."

Bakugo watched him, "I know. Right now she needs to know her part is over, and focus on getting healed...can you manage that?"

He thought for a long moment, breathing in the cool air, "Yeah...I can manage that."
_________
The sky was now a dusky grey. Bakugo had left a while ago, leaving Hawks to his thoughts. His mind reeled over his options: he could disappear, he was good at that; he could of course be there for Mika, but at arms length; or he could just...let go. Let go and see what happens for a change, as utterly terrifying as that seemed.

He shivered as the strange sensation shot up his spine, making him smirk, "It's about time."
__________
Mika's eyes opened, checking her surroundings. The room was growing dark, save for a lamp that the nurse had turned on. Truth be told she was afraid to move. Was she actually in a hospital, or another location? Did Lena actually die? Her fingers absentmindedly fiddled with the feather under her hand.

She jumped slightly when the door to her room closed, "What took you so long?"

"I was tired," her eyes landed in Hawks, watching him shed his jacket, "I hope you didn't wait too long."

He smirked and sat on her bed, "Just four days, not too long."

"I could take a nap if it needs to be longer," she teased tiredly.

He reached and ran a hand through her hair, "Don't threaten me." His eyes scanned her form, "Are you feeling okay?"

"No," she was honest, "...I want these things out of my hands."

"Okay," he took her hand and began untaping the IVs, "just breath, okay?"

Mika nodded and closed her eyes, "Thank you."

Once they were removed and taped, he laid her hands back down, "Better?"

"Yeah," she looked at him, "are you okay?"

He blinked, "Why do you ask?"

"I can't tell you haven't been sleeping."

He scoffed with his signature smile, "I've been busy...then had to come bring you home."

"Well im home now," she softly scolded, "so promise you'll rest."

"I promise." He looked at her chart, "Recovery Girl came in to see you. Maybe that means you can go soon."

"Good," she looked out of the window, "Im tried of tests and needles."

His golden eyes watched her before he slowly leaned down and kissed her head, "No more of those, I promise." He laid his head on her chest, smiling when he felt her hands in his hair, "Did you miss me?"

Mika smiled, "Every day. Well, except for that one day when I thought about the time you forced me to babysit you...Oh, also how you once again slipped out on our date."

He huffed, "Yeah, yeah..."

She chuckled, "Did you miss me?"

He nestled against her, "Yes...we aren't doing this again." He sat up and looked at her, "No more suicide missions."

"Alright," she held up her pinky, "no more."

He took it and winked, "Now, we just work on getting you better."
_______
Mika looked through the papers Hallie had provided her about her blood work, as well as the report on Project Sunshine. It was ironic really, now it was almost like she had a sister.

She adjusted the oversized hoodie Hallie had brought her, as her legs hung off the edge of the bed. Hawks had managed to keep her here for three days before she threatened to walk out. They decided to discharge her, but she had to come on once a week for a checkup.

"Let's fly," Hawks peeped his head in the room.

Mika stood and walked to the door, following him to the roof. Luckily her room was on the top floor, in the private wing, so she didn't have to walk far. It was a nice day out, spring was attempting to make an appearance as the sun held itself high in the sky.

He took her papers and shoved them in his jacket before reaching and pulling her hood up, "It'll be quick."

Mika nodded as he picked her up, lacing her arms around his neck, "Just don't fly crazy."

He chuckled and held her close as he took off. He smirked when Mika buried her face into his neck, he smiled giving her a soft squeeze. In a matter of minutes, he set them down in front of the abandoned building, "See? You made it in one piece."

She rolled her eyes as he released her, "This time..."

He smiled and followed her inside, traveling through the familiar building, and down to the basement. Mika walked in and stopped, "Who's been here?"

"Our darling mother hen," Hawks closed the door behind them, "She insisted."

"Of course she did, she's nesting," Mika chuckled. Hallie had cleaned the entire place, and replaced the sheets. A small note on the counter made her smile.

"What does nesting mean?"

She set the note down, "It's a common term used for someone who is expecting. When it get close to their due date, their instincts drive them to clean and organize....create their "nest" in a sense."

"That's...odd," he picked up the note.

"Humans are mammals at the end of the day," she smiled, "Not to mention Hallie just has that motherly quality anyways."

His phone buzzed. When he opened it, he saw a message from Hallie:
You better not be a horn dog and let her rest 😤😤😤😤

He felt his cheeks heat up, shoving the phone back into his pocket. Mika tilted her head, "Something wrong?"

He cleared his throat, "N-nope!"